Relief Facility now fully available for tour operators about Sh44 billion for Covid-19.

The EU / Uganda Development Bank Tourism Intervention Fund relief package is still on wait for the Tour operators to use. During covid 19, the tour operators were given 62 billion by the European Union and Uganda Development Bank to tourism industry however 18.2 billion was used and 44 billion is still available.

To revive the tourism industry from the covid-19 setback, the bank still holds 44 billion covid money for tour operators where 18.2 billion was used over 62 billion total.

“Though some operators benefited from the first phase of the programme, the numbers are very few compared to the number of players in the sector.” the state minister for tourism Martin Mugarra Bahinduka said during launching the second call for applications in Kampala.

“I expect the relaxed conditions will help more people to benefit” he added.

Due to the fact that tourism lost a lot of money, UDB and UN decided to contribute by 40 billion and 21.8 billion respectively which impacted the interest rate reducing from 12% to 8%.

“Since the first phase 18 months ago, it has been a very serious ground-breaking operation because of its nature of involving the EU.  The country has experienced the results of the government and the different associations working as partners on loan and grant at the same time.” the head of cooperation, delegations of European Union Uganda Caroline Adriaensen said.

“The new call is designed to fit in the context of the industry as of now since the pandemic is slowly being seen off.” Caroline said.

“They learnt many lessons from the first phase, and the challenges associated therein were addressed.” the managing director of Uganda Development Bank Patricia Ojangole said.

“They have come up with the second phase because the fund is still available and they believe that the industry still needs the support.” She added.

“The bank has even relaxed the terms and requirements of the applicants, having learnt from what has been disqualifying most of the applicants.” the director for credit at UDB Samuel Edem Maitum said.

“In the first phase of the facility, only 94 companies applied, of which 44 qualified for the loan and consumed only 18.2 billion and this brought in questions to which we found answers.” Edem said.

This second call is to help businesses in the tourism value chain to stand steadily on their feet that’s according to Edem.

To stimulate and sustain these businesses which have at least survived the pandemic, we refined this particular call which has the grant portion.

What is the response of coronavirus on tourism economy?

Despite the fact that tourism sector in Uganda has been much harder hit than any other sector, the up-country lodges and hotels, tour operators, and guides which depend primarily on this business deserve the highest priority in government’s efforts to sustain the economy by giving discounts in order to raise some clients until the economy is back.

Promotion of Domestic tourism

In order to recover the crisis from coronavirus, Ugandans have involved themselves in domestic tourism for example ‘Tulambule campaign’ which has been emphasized by the local based tourism where locals have explored and enjoyed their country.

Due to pandemic, Ugandans have been locked for 2 years and this have opened their eyes saying ‘life is short’ which has made them to travel within and outside the country.  On October 22, 2021, the Uganda Tourism Association hosted a breakfast with the chief Executives in Uganda discussing on how domestic tourism can be promoted through the incentive travel for the corporate organization.

“I wish to encourage Ugandans to do what every other country is doing now; Kenya, The United Kingdom, USA, Russia…. encouraging and promoting their own domestic tourism.” the Head of the Private Sector in Tourism said.

Gorilla app family was launched.

Despite the coronavirus, Gorilla app family was launched by Uganda’s conservationists to improve on tourism sector which had declined because of Covid. Since the launch, the app enabled users to join a gorilla family and contribute to saving the endangered species. The new technology and inventiveness not only saved the gorilla species but also protected them.

While on the launch at Skyz Hotel in Naguru, the following attended and these are notable conservationists, stakeholders and panelists including UTB CEO Lilly Ajarova where they said that the launch will be followed by my gorilla festival where the locals and international artists will be performing on the stage.

“Uganda is absolutely ready for an application and a festival like this. It is time for the world to come and see how much more Uganda has to offer.” UTB CEO Lily Ajarova commented thus will raise tourism sector back again.

Explore Uganda launch

Exploring Uganda was launched by President Museveni at Kololo airstrip to improve on tourism sector in Uganda which was badly hit by coronavirus. Unveiling a new identity to showcase the adventure waiting in the African nation, UTB has to refresh the new destination brand. The launch has explored Uganda’s wealthy biodiversity that is unique terrain, climate, culture and biodiversity.

“The new brand promise seeks to re-emphasize Uganda’s rare and precious range of tourism attractions to the world, thereby earning destination Uganda competitive market share. Uganda is no doubt beautiful. Beautiful beyond measure.” The CEO UTB Ms Lily Ajarova said.

Due to the fact that coronavirus affected the whole world politically, socially, religiously and economically, to boom tourism sector there is competition in market to boom their own countries first.  For Uganda to win the marketplace; to achieve our Number One objective of ‘Sustainably Promoting Uganda as a Competitive Tourism Destination for Inclusive Development’ it is therefore important that all stakeholders are aligned on what makes us the Pearl of Africa and how do we unpack that to the various travel markets/segments around the world thus arrival increase in the destination as the global travel industry makes tourism sector recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

What are the rules and regulations of coronavirus in tourism sector?

Despite the fact that coronavirus has reduced compared to last 2 years, it doesn’t mean that rules and regulations are ignored. But as tourism sector, the procedures are still restricted and these are,

• For every visitor whether locals or international visitors must show their coronavirus certificate to prove that they are fully vaccinated to allow visitors for the safaris.
• The visitors must wear masks when they are around people.
• For every visitor must sanitize their hands to avoid being affected by Covid-19.
• Visitors are allowed to keep social distance as well as avoiding over crowned places.
• The infected visitors are quarantined for 14 days before the travel.